Charter Revision Commission

Draft Charter v4.1

2008 Draft Report to the Darien Board of Selectmen

2008 Charter Revision Commission Charge - Exhibit A

2008 Smarter Charter Q&A, Community Feedback - Exhibit C

2007 Charter Revision Commission Q1 Report

2007 Charter Revision Commission Q2 Report

Combined 2007 Q3 and Q4 Report

2008 CRC Responses to Questions from 1999 CRC

CRC Response to Comments from the Darien Board of Education

Planning & Zoning Commission Formal Recommendations For The Charter Revision Commission

Charter Provisions in Draft v3 with which the BOF Takes Issue

CRC Response To BOF Letter

THE DARIEN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION LAUNCHES SURVEY

Darien , CT. , Feb. 6- The Darien Charter Revision Commission (CRC) wants all voters to have a say in what local government should look like in the 21 st century. The CRC has published a brief questionnaire asking voters for their experiences, good or bad, with local government. A copy of the survey is available at the link below or you can pick one up at Town Hall or the Darien Library. < read more of this press release >

View the Survey

Please send your completed survey to:

The CRC
Attn: Office of the First Selectman
Darien Town Hall
2 Renshaw, Darien, CT  06820

or email CRC member, Vickie Riccardo

The Darien Charter Revision Commission was appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Our charge is to study the structure of Darien’s Town government; consider alternate forms of governments; identify efficiencies; and consider the Charter changes proposed by our predecessors, the 1999 Charter Revision Commission. We have also been directed to recommend measures that will help make the Town's government more responsive and responsible to Darien's citizens. The complete charge to the Commission concludes this entry. Under Connecticut law, the Commission is to present a draft of its report to the Board of Selectmen no later than April 4, 2008. The Charter Revision Commission has nine members, all of whom are appointed to serve until the Board of Selectmen considers and acts upon the Commission’s final report. The Board of Selectmen also appointed three alternate members for the Commission.

Members:

Alternates:
Sam Schoonmaker (Republican), Brian Stevens (Republican), Callie Sullivan (Democrat)

The Commission intends to meet weekly on Thursdays, except for Thanksgiving (11/22/07). All meetings are open to the public. Meetings will be held at 11:00 a.m. or 7:30 p.m., as indicated below, to provide the broadest possible opportunities for members of the public to attend. Unless otherwise announced, meetings will be held in the Darien Town Hall, Room 206.

2007 Meeting Schedule

2008 Meeting Schedule

Charter Revision Commission Charge

Be it resolved that the Board of Selectmen hereby establishes a 2006 Charter Revision Commission, in accordance with Chapter 99 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, which Commission shall be composed of no more than 11 members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and elect from its membership a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.

Be it further resolved that the Charter Revision Commission shall study the structure of Town government, including but not limited to its form, composition and function; the procedures, regulations and ordinances under which it operates; the working relationships among the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, RTM and appointed Boards and Commissions, other elected officials and Town Departments; and consider alternate forms of governments, identify efficiencies as well as consider the proposed Charter changes from the 1999 Commission.

Be it further resolved that the Commission shall issue a draft report recommending a structure of Town government, measures to achieve that structure and with a focus on a more responsive and responsible form of government. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality and effectiveness of government services through greater efficiencies in the use of Town resources. The Charter Revision Commission shall submit its draft no later than April 4, 2008.

Be it further resolved that the Commission shall be charged with:

• Review the responsibilities, role and scope of authority of the First Selectman, the Board of Selectmen, Chairman of the Board of Finance, Board of Finance, Administrative Officer;

• Review the operation and structure of the RTM;

• Determine if establishing term limits for elected officials would be beneficial for Town government;

• Review the authority of commissions and advisory boards – elected as well as appointed;

• Consider the alternate forms and structures of town government;

• Make other recommendations as deemed appropriate by the Commission;

• Report to the Board of Selectmen on minimum of a quarterly basis.